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Newcastle set to lose striker as another Premier League star eyes China switch
PAPISS CISSE is on the verge of a £5million move to the Chinese Super League (CSL), according to reports.
Cisse was prolific in his first season at the club
The 30-year-old was the subject of multiple offers in the January transfer window with Crystal Palace, Swansea and Fenerbahce all approaching Newcastle about the player.
But the Magpies are holding out for a £5m transfer fee and The Times are claiming multiple Chinese clubs are interested.
Graziano Pelle had reportedly been the primary target for the unnamed CSL outfits but Southampton rebuffed all approaches for the Italian striker.
And with the CSL transfer window remaining open until February 26, Newcastle are happy to hold out until their target price is met by any prospective buyers.
However, the club have today confirmed that Aleksandar Mitrovic did not travel to Newcastle's warm-weather training camp this week because of an injury.
And with Ayoze Perez still struggling for fitness and Seydou Doumbia yet to score in English football, manager Steve McClaren may hesitate to sign off on any deal to take Cisse away from the club.
Townsend becomes latest Newcastle signing
But should the Senegalese striker complete a move to China, it will bring to an end a four-year spell in the Premier League.
During his time at St James' Park, the former Freiburg man has racked up 43 goals in all competitions but only two of them have come this season.
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